GoDaddy Likely Out As Hinchcliffe Sponsor For '14 As Driver Weighs Team Options

October 10, 2013

It is "nearly certain" that GoDaddy "will not be back" as IndyCar driver James Hinchcliffe's sponsor next season, according to Dean McNulty of the TORONTO SUN. GoDaddy "has not made an official announcement yet but it is generally known it is taking all of its money to NASCAR next season." Hinchcliffe said, "I am still in touch with GoDaddy because I am still their driver, but they are exploring all their options. They are looking at all their sports sponsorships. I imagine a decision is imminent." Hinchcliffe is at the end of his contract with Andretti AutoSport and said of his plans for next season, "We have a couple of things brewing, but a couple of things still have to fall into place. We certainly have some decent options out there." McNulty notes it is "an open secret" that Hinchcliffe "has been offered a lucrative deal by KV Racing Technology." There also is the "strong possibility he will be back with Andretti" (TORONTO SUN, 10/10). The AP's Jenna Fryer wrote "waiting to see how things play out" between Andretti and Chip Ganassi Racing "makes sense for Hinchcliffe." A potential Andretti return to Honda could "align Hinchcliffe with Honda Canada, a longtime supporter of Canadian drivers." With Ganassi, there also is the "potential of teaming with longtime Ganassi sponsor Target, which expanded in Canada this summer." While Target sponsors drivers Scott Dixon and Dario Franchitti's in IndyCar and will sponsor Kyle Larson in NASCAR next season, it "could have interest in pairing with a Canadian driver now that it's adding stores in that country" (AP, 10/9).